Connecting and guiding means for endless tracks and the like



l 1943- R. I. SCHONITZER ETAL 2,330,245

CONNECTING AND GUIDING MEANS FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 14, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 :RNP. 6 ma i H unw m M M m w 5 7 W1 A H W w Sept. 28, 1943. R. SCHONITZER ETIAL 2,330,245

CONNECTING AND GUIDING MEANS FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE File d Feb. 14, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I /-v/vToRs: RUDOLPH 1. SCHON/TZER EDw/N L. ALLEN HAROLD B. MUSTER AT To RNE Y.s

Sept. 28, 1943. R. I. SCHONITZER ETAL 2,330,245

CONNECTING AND GUIDING MEANS FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 14, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 RUDOLPH I. SCHONITZER igwuv L. ALLEN ARQLD B. MUSTER B Y a! ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 28, 1943 CONNECTING AND GUIDING MEANS FOR ENDLESS TRACKS AND THE LIKE Rudolph I. Schonitzer. Shaker Heights, and Edwin L. Allen and Harold B. Muster. Cleveland Heights, Ohio; said Allen and said Muster assignors to said Schonitzer Application February 14, 1942, Serial No. 430,987

8 Claims. (01. 305-) This invention relates to an improvement in the construction of endless tracks having separate tread blocks, and relates to a combined end connector for adjacent tread-blocks and a track guide for retaining the track on bogie wheels and sprockets.

Track guides and end connectors are in use comprised of forgings but these have many disadvantages which are overcome by our improved devices. In the present improvement the parts are formed of metal stampings welded together where necessary and it results from our improvements that great uniformity is possible, little or no machining is necessary after assembly, and harder wet-ring surfaces are provided by the proper selection of the metal for the stampings and of the heat treatment to which they are submitted. It follows from this that our improved devices are less costly to produce, are suitable for mass production, and give more satisfactory results in use.

One of the objects of the present invention therefore is to provide a device of this sort which can be formed of sheet metal stampings and tubular members connected together by welding and provided with'reinforcing flanges, ribs and projections and reinforcing plates where necessary or desirable so as to obtain all of the advantages pointed out in the preceding paragraph. The nature of our invention will be more clearly understood from the accompanying drawings and description and the essential features thereof will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of an endles track equipped with our improved track guide and connector; V

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the track of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the combined track guide and end connector shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the device of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the same taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the main stamping forming a part of the device of Figs. 3, 4 and 5;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken along the line l'| of Fig. 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 are side and front elevational views respectively of one of the smaller stampings of the device shown in Figs. 3 to 5; and

Figs. 10 and 11 are top plan and front elevational views respectively of anotherof the smaller stampings of Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

It will be understood by those skilled in this art that our device is applicable to that type of endless track used for tanks, tractors, trucks and the like which is composed of a plurality of separate tread blocks l0 united in link fashion to form the endless track. Such tread blocks are quite often formed of rubber in which are embedded crossbars H, two to each block, the exposed ends of which serve as link pins for the end connectors. The blocks H) are cut away as shown at 10a to permit them to pass around sprockets and guide wheels.

The present invention has to do with the combined end connector and track guide indicated at 52 in Figs. 1 and 2. This device has three functions, namely, it provides a connecting link between the crossbars of adjacent blocks so as to tie the blocks tcgether'into an endless track; it also is formed with an upstanding projection which prevents the track from slipping off the bogie wheels and sprockets; and thirdly, it provides a bearing surface for the sprockets which drive the track.

This device i2 is here shown as comprisin three stampings and two tubular members. The main stamping I3 as shown separately in Figs. 6 and 7 comprises a flat link portion I311 lying generally in a plane and having a pair of openingsv 13b adapted to embrace the crossbars H as will later appear. The metal of the stamping is then bent inwardly toward the center of the track as at I30 providing an offset portion substantially at right angles to the plane of the link portion 13a. The stamping then extends upwardly as at l3d in a direction opposite to the link portion l3a. This portion 13d provides a track guide which keeps the track from slipping oil? the bogie wheels or sprockets. The outer or free end of the track guide portion is flared back toward the plane of the link portion so as to give a smoother engagement with the wheels. The guide portion is strengthened by the side flanges l3e which extend from the free end of the guide portion down to the offset portion as far toward the outside as the plane of the link portion. The general effect is to provide a cupping of the upper portion of the stamping where the track guide is formed.

A second stamping l4 best seen in Figs. 10 and 11 provides a reinforcement for the link portion !3a. This stamping has a substantially plane por tion Ha. generally parallel to and welded to the link portion 13a. Openings Mb register with the openings l3b. The stamping is provided with a recess 540 to accommodate another reinforcin piece to be described. On each side of this recess tongues Hid extend upwardly and slightly inwardly as best seen in Figs. 3, 5 and 10. These tongues lie along the offset portion lite and are welded thereto. This stamping has an outwardly flared lip Me for a purpose later described.

Two tubular members l6 and I1 are secured to the members l3 and M in the openings i312 and llb in a manner to extend at right angles to the link portion and to embrace the crossbars ii.

These tubular members are of a somewhat thickened section provided with a shoulder as shown at Ilia and Fla and a portion of smaller diameter Ifib and Nb extending through the openings Nb and [3b, and preferably welded to the stampings i3 and M. The inner ends of the tubular members are flared outwardly into the countersink i8.

A third stamping It generally of channel shape has its web at 15a generally parallel to the guide portion I363. The web at lib is generally parallel to the oifset portion We and the web at I50 forms a tie between the tubular members id'and ll, being welded thereto at the points 89. The web at I50: and I5!) is spot or projection welded to the parallel surfaces of the stamping i3. The flanges iSri of the stamping IE5 extend generally parallel to the flanges We and provide maximum reinforcement for the track guide portion of the main stamping. At I5e these flanges are generally parallel to the crossbars H and provide reinforcement for the overhanging parts of the tubular members i 6 and l i. It will be noted that the lip Me underlies and supports the outer end of the stamping I5 and is preferably welded thereto at the point 20. The stamping 45 has a hole l5! to receive a lock bolt as will presently appear.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the crossbars are notched at Ha to receive a locking member 2! which has a central upstanding stud 2 la passing upwardly through the opening i5] and secured in place by a nut 22. The tubular members It and I? have milled slots 23 which register with the notches Ha so as to receive the locking member.

The tubular members are fiatted at 26 for the attachment of a grouser.

It will be understood that the tubular members I6 and ii are engaged by the driving sprockets and therefore provide wearing surfaces protecting the crossbars at these points.

What we claim is:

I. In the combination of an endless track composed oi tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, a combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a metal plate member having a link portion adapted to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks, said member having an offset portion formed by bending said plate member inwardly and then upwardly in a direction opposite to said link portion, and a reinforcing plate member of channel form having a web generally parallel to said first named plate member where said offset portion is bent, said plate members being welded together.

2. In the combination of an endless track composed of tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, a combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a metal plate member having a link portion adapted to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks, said member having an offset portion formed by bending said plate member inwardly, said plate member being then bent upwardly in a direction opposite to said link portion to form a track guide portion, and a reinforcing plate member extending along said oifset and guide portions and welded to said first named plate member.

3. In the combination of an endless track composed of tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, a combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a metal plate member having a link portion adapted to connect crossbars 01 adjacent tread blocks, said member having an oflset portion formed by bending said plate member inwardly, said plate member being then bent upwardly in a direction opposite to said link portion to form a track guide portion, and a reinforcing plate member extending along said onset and guide portions and welded to said first named plate member, said reinforcing plate member being of channel form and having flanges extending generally parallel to said crossbars.

4. In the combination of an endless track composed of tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, 2. combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a metal plate member having a link portion adapted to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks, said member having an offset portion formed by bending said plate member inwardly and then upwardly in a direction opposite to said link portion, means adapted to embrace said crossbars extending from said link portion in a direction opposite to said oflset portion, and a reinforcing plate member welded to said offset portion, said reinforcing member extending along said last named means and being welded thereto.

5. In the combination of an endless track composed of tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, a combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a metal plate member having a link portion adapted to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks. said member having an offset portion formed by bending said plate member inwardly and then upwardly in a direction opposite to said link portion, means adapted to embrace said crossbars extending from said link portion in a direction opposite to said oflset portion, and a reinforcing member of channel form welded to said ofiset portion and extending along said last named means and welded thereto, said reinforcing member having flanges generally parallel to said crossbars.

6. In the combination oi an endless track composed of tread blocks having link pin crossbars and wherein the track travels over sprocket or bogie wheels, a combined crossbar connector and track guide comprising a metal plate member having a link portion adapted to connect crossbars of adjacent tread blocks, said member having an offset portion formed by bending said plate member inwardly and then upwardly in a direction opposite to said link portion, tubular members rigidly secured to and extending from said link portion in a direction opposite to said ofiset portion, said tubular members being adapted to embrace said crossbars, and a reinforcing plate member welded to said oflset portion and extending between and secured to said tubular members.

7. The combination of claim 6 including a plate member generally parallel to and welded to said link portion.

8. The combination of claim 6 including a plate member generally parallel to and welded to said link portion, and said last named plate member having a portion engaging and supporting said reinforcing plate member.

RUDOLPH I. SCHONI'IZER. EDWIN L. ALLEN. HAROLD B. MUS'I'EZR. 

